I've had my 83 since new, and it's outlasted my sedans.

On the other hand, I am the only one who's driven it. I observe that most people beat 7s to death. Even the 85 GSL i picked up last year with only 49k is worse than my original 83. But I'll bring it back.

B

 

When it comes to used cars, you often get what you pay for. My $900 '83 was beat to hell and back before I got her. My '85 SE, meticulously maintained, has the occasional problem with a worn-out part but is more reliable than my '85 Dodge Daytona, the winter beater.

Jettas overall are good cars, but consider yourself lucky here. The Wolfsburg factory in the mid-80's was the worst of the lot as far as quality control, etc. due to too-powerful unions and job complacency. It's not overstating the case that Wolfsburg was a significant reason why VW sales dwindled to a trickle by the early 90's.

Ironically when East German labour, viewed as 'less skilled' through a holdover of cold-war biggotrty, became available it was this that finally diluted the Union's power momentarily and allowed VW, Audi, and other German marques to greatly improve their assembly to match the already superbly engineered components.